The average 30-year, fixed-rate home loan fell to 3.54 percent after it had jumped up to 3.63 percent last week, the secondary lender reported. The rate was only about a quarter point off the all-time low of 3.31 percent set last November, according to Freddie Mac.

A year ago the average 30-year fixed rate was at 4.08 percent, Freddie Mac said.

Average rates for 15-year fixed rate mortgages also declined this week -- to 2.72 percent after being at 2.79 percent. It remains close to the record low 2.63 percent The rates averaged 3.3 a year ago, Freddie Mac said.

Publix, still the No. 1 grocery chain in Florida by market share, continued its consistent growth by racking up $30.6 billion in revenues in 2014, a 5.7 percent increase from its $28.9 billion of 2013.